On Board Irene!

Mark threw us into a flap this morning saying the ship had overshot the island in the night and was now headed back to us from the north east. Hugh choked on his muesli. "Missed the Bloody Island! Xxxxx xxxx" etc.

We had a launch – the Access Challenger – with Captain Buzz White waiting to take us to the ship. But no ship. We did the supermarket shop. Still no ship. We left the harbour for a look. Nothing. Headed south to the point. Round the point … and there she is … looking absolutely stunning, tonking cheerfully along in the sunshine.

Turns out Mark had it completely wrong … it was the wind coming from the north east, not the boat!! They had had a terrific breeze, whizzed along and had to tack away to kill time. They were now where they said they would be.

And Mark is from Jersey. You'd think he had some idea of sailing.

We pull alongside; "Crapaud" hails captain Buzz. "Donkey" replies Mark … a Channel Island thing apparently.

It’s an easy transfer but I don't give them the beer until last and I follow it quickly.

She is such a lovely ship, Irene. The prettiest of the three we've used.

Buzz roared off, and the noise level just dropped down to little splashes and rhythmic creaking in the rigging. A gentle rocking. Yachties in tippy-over type plastic boats hurtle about us crying "Yah" etc. Our 200-odd tons of oak, larch and claret stay nicely level-ish. So I don't spill my tea. I like this ship.

We have now left Guernsey behind and are headed past Alderney to England ... you can follow our progress here. More anon.

PS - I spotted these drawings of the types of vessels we've used

We used a Brigantine called The Marques on our first voyage. Nearly ended in disaster. Tragically, in 1984 she went down with 20 souls, 75 miles North of Bermuda.

We traded up to a Brig for our second voyage and The Astrid delivered us and our cargo safely to Weymouth.

This time, we're aboard the beautiful Ketch Irene of Brigwater ... next stop Cowes!